Chapter 227: Inspection
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
When the emissary saw the lively harvest scene in the fields, he was shocked. Before he could react, he saw Qi Haoran and Fan Zijin working in the fields. With a sigh, he said, “1 didn’t expect Fourth Young Master and Young Master Fan to be so close to the people.”
Smiling, Qi Xiuyuan said, “Sir, you can’t praise them. They’re very naughty. They’re not here to help, but to cause trouble.” As he spoke, he brought him over and explained, “That’s the Mu family. The children of the Mu family are playmates with them, so they come over to play on the fields from time to time. Sir, why don’t you take a look? 1 was also a little surprised when I saw the corn for the first time.”
The emissary remembered that he had to report to the Emperor when he returned. If he could describe the growth of the corn, the Emperor would definitely think that he was talcing the job seriously, so he readily agreed.
Mu Shi and Fei Bai were cutting the corn with pickaxes and then dividing them into piles. Mu Yangling and the others sat on the ground and broke off the corn. This was much better than digging into the cornfield to break the corn. It was not stuffy and they did not have to stand. Each of them occupied a pile and could chat.
Seeing Qi Xiuyuan bring people over, everyone hurriedly stood up. Mu Shi was about to come over to greet him when he saw Qi Xiuyuan wave his hand and say to everyone, “Go ahead. The messenger is just here to take a look.”
Qi Haoran looked up at the emissary before lowering his head to continue breaking corn. Fan Zijin smiled and stood up to greet the emissary politely before following behind Qi Xiuyuan.
The emissary’s smile faded slightly as he nodded politely at Fan Zijin. When Qi Xiuyuan was not around, he had received a lot of hospitality from Young Master Fan.
The emissary turned around to take a closer look at the corn stalk that was still erected in the ground. To his surprise, he realized that there were two corns on it. He personally went forward to peel them open to take a look. The one at the bottom was relatively large, with large and compact corn kernels. When he broke off one with his fingers and pinched it, the pulp flowed all over his fingers.
Although the one above was smaller, there were also a lot of corn kernels. The emissary looked at the cornfield thoughtfully. No wonder the corn production was so high.
Even if there was only one corn on a corn stalk, considering the size and density, the harvest was indeed quite considerable. However, why didn’t they successfully plant it in the past?
Before he could think further, Qi Xiuyuan said with a smile, “1 came back late. If it were 20 days ago, I would definitely treat you to a taste of this boiled corn. It tastes pretty good.”
The emissary clapped his hands and asked, “I heard that corn doesn’t taste good when cooked into porridge.”
With a sigh, Qi Xiuyuan nodded. “That’s right. I’m afraid you won’t be used to the taste. It’s fine to eat this occasionally, but it’s a little hard on the throat if you eat it a few more times. However, for ordinary people, it’s already not bad to be able to eat their fill.”
The corners of the emissary’s mouth curled up slightly as he understood. Only ordinary commoners would eat this thing. Those who were more well-off probably wouldn’t bother to eat this. As such, it wouldn’t have much of an impact on wheat and rice.
The emissary was no longer interested in staying here after making a decision on how to report to the Emperor.
When Qi Xiuyuan and Rong Xuan looked at each other, he gave Rong Xuan a look. Rong Xuan quickly went forward with a smile and said, “Sir, you’ve been walking for half a day. Why don’t we go to the county to rest? You haven’t visited Mingshui County yet, right? Why don’t I bring you around?”
The emissary looked at Qi Xiuyuan, who smiled and said, “Sir, please forgive me. I still have some military matters to attend to. Why don’t 1 let Military Advisor Rong bring you around and have fun? 1’11 hold a banquet at Red Taste Restaurant tonight. Please do me the honor.”
As the emissary did not like to stay with the serious Qi Xiuyuan, he replied with a smile, “Then General Qi, you can go ahead. I’ll leave with Military Advisor Rong first.”
Seeing that they had walked far away, Fan Zijin turned to ask Qi Xiuyuan, “Cousin, from how I saw it, he was astonished previously, but now, he seems to look down on the corn.”
Qi Xiuyuan broke off the two pieces of corn that the emissary had peeled just now and placed them in his hand. “Because only ordinary people will eat these things, and the high-ranking officials and nobles won’t eat these things. But what he doesn’t know is that four-fifths of the people in the world are ordinary people who eat chaff for at least a month every year. No matter how bad this thing tastes, it’s still grains. It’s countless times better than chaff. Fine rice is delicious, but how many people in the world can afford to eat it? Even I only get to eat fine rice a few times a year. Moreover, many farmers have to set aside many chores to serve the fields meticulously for a year for it. Even what we have here is only enough to guarantee that the three of us have enough to eat for a month. The gains don’t make up for the losses.”
He placed the two corns in Fan Zijin’s hands and said, “So, Zijin, don’t forget your priorities no matter what you do in the future. How can the blessings of one person override the blessings of 10,000 people?”
Fan Zijin lowered his eyes and asked, “Does that also apply to the Emperor?”
Qi Xiuyuan was silent for a long time before asking, “If the people of the world don’t recognize him to be the ruler, will he still be the ruler of the world?” When he thought of the Emperor’s current situation, he felt embarrassed for him. Being criticized and scolded by the people every day, Qi Xiuyuan felt that the Emperor had excellent psychological makeup. Of course, he could not rule out the possibility that the Emperor might not know what was going on outside the palace.
Seeing that his brother and Mu Yangling were looking over curiously, Qi Xiuyuan smiled and patted Fan Zijin’s shoulder. “If you have nothing to do, come and play with Haoran and Mu Yangling more often. Learn more from their strengths.”
The corners of Fan Zijin’s mouth twitched as he asked, “And then become stupid?”
Qi Xiuyuan glared at him and left him behind. He looked down at the corn that his brother had broken off and said, “You even know how to do farm work. Very good. All Ling, call him along when your family plants next time and get him to help you.”
Mu Yangling pursed her lips and smiled. “General, he came to help when we planted the corn for the first time, but seeing as he’s so busy now, I’m too embarrassed to drag him to do these things.”
“It’s always good to learn more.” Qi Xiuyuan lifted his robe and sat beside her. “You’re good friends with Haoran and Zijin, so you don’t have to be so polite with me. Call me Big Brother Qi from now on.”
Mu Yangling readily greeted him, “Big Brother Qi.”
Happy to hear that, Qi Xiuyuan laughed heartily. He liked Mu Yangling’s straightforwardness. She was very similar to his younger brother, Haoran, in that sense. It was just that Haoran was not as sensible as Mu Yangling. Otherwise, he would be even happier.
When Qi Haoran heard Mu Yangling call him “Big Brother Qi”, he hurriedly dropped what he was doing and crawled over. He sat opposite Mu Yangling and said, “Since I’m also older than you, and considering I’m the fourth eldest in the family, call me Fourth Brother Qi.”
Mu Yangling rolled her eyes in front of Qi Xiuyuan and called out, “Qi Haoran.”
Qi Haoran glared at her.
“Qi Haoran, Qi Haoran, Qi Haoran…”
Qi Haoran snorted and said, “If you don’t call me that, I’ll get Yanmo and Fei Bai to return and not help your family anymore.” Seeing that Mu Yangling was unmoved, he continued, “1 have something to ask your father to do…”
“Fourth Brother Qi.” Mu Yangling looked at him with sparkling eyes. “Fourth Brother Qi, my mother will make a lot of delicious food tonight. You and Big Brother Qi can stay for dinner.”
Only then was Qi Haoran satisfied. “Although my matter is very urgent, Fei Bai can go. Your father doesn’t have to go.”
Qi Xiuyuan shook his head in amusement as he watched them bicker. He rolled up his sleeves and got up to cut off corn stalks with Mu Shi..
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